Chhattisgarh Handicrafts

Raipur, the capital city of Chattisgarh is famous as the ‘spiritual birthplace’ of the Cyclonic ‘Hindu Monk’, otherwise known as Swami Vivekananda. Widely recognized for its Dhokra work, Pithora paintings, and Kosa silk sarees. The rural artisans of Chattisgarh are toiling day and night, perfecting their craft, making it unique and authentic at every step of its preparation.

  1. Pithora Paintings

Pithora.jpg
Pithora has a population of all the main religions in India, namely, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian. All festivals are celebrated and enjoyed equally.  Pithora is situated on a four-lane National Highway, connected to places like Mahasamund, Raipur, Saraipali, Sarangarh, and Kasdol,  through Roadways. Bus services are available from Pithora Bus Stand for Raipur, Mahasamund, Bagbahara & Saraipali; whereas the frequency of buses drastically drops down during the night.

The essence of a Pithora painting lies in its authenticity; everything from the theme to its execution has an ethnic touch of rural India. Where them colors are prepared by mixing pigments with milk and liquor made from the auspicious Mahuda tree.

Pithora paintings are done on a set of three walls, preparing them walls for the painting, as the walls to be painted first plastered with mud and cow dung, and then coated with chalk powder, which is called lipna. Finally, the painters proceed to do their work.

2. Dhokra Work

Dhokra-Art.jpgBell metal or Dhokra work is a famous handicraft manufactured in the state of Chhattisgarh, usually practiced in the districts of Bastar and Raigarh. Tribal artisans from this region create bell metal crafts using materials such as brass and bronze, supplanted with hollow casting and the lost wax techniques. This art is known as ‘Dhokra Work,’ primarily practiced by the tribes like ‘Ghadwas’ of Bastar and ‘Jharas’ of Raigarh districts.

First, this process involves the preparation of a clay core which is in the shape of its final cast image, covering the clay base with a layer of wax, resin from the tree Damara orientalis, and nut oil. Consequently, the wax is shaped into its intricate designs and motifs. Which is further covered with layers of clay, taking wax on the inside, creating a mold for the metal, where the molten metal is poured. Drain ducts are created for the molten wax, which melts away when the clay is cooked. The molten metal then replaces the wax. The liquid metal poured in between the core and its inner surface of the mould. Molten metal fills the mould, hence assuming its shape. The outer layer of clay is then chipped off when the metal icon is polished and finished as desired.

3. Kosa Silk Sarees

Kosa-silk-saree.jpgKosa silk fabric is one of the most famous handicrafts made in the state of Chhattisgarh, produced using threads from a rare breed of silkworm known as the Kosa, for its cultivation is laborious, people prefer contrary to the cultivation of these silkworms. These rare species of silkworms are cultivated in Saja or Sal trees, present only in forests at the very heart of Indian subcontinent. The threads produced from this process are pretty rigid in their texture, but it is the coarseness of these products that sets them apart from that stereotyped soft silk sarees; henceforward providing these Kosa silk sarees their own authentic texture.

The classic Kosa saree comes in natural shades of pale gold, cream, honey, and so on. Natural dyes are utilized to create attractive designs and dye the entire Kosa saree in a polychromatic atmosphere of brilliance. These include colors like yellow, sourced from the fire flower and deep red from Lac.

Famous for its breathtaking motifs that are woven directly into the fabric, with typical patterns like the Jaala (net) and Fera which are used to create exemplary artistic patterns inspired right from mother nature, along with tribal tales and mythological stories. They are an essential item for your wardrobe for important occasions like weddings and other ceremonies.

Buy any one of these authentic Chattisgarhi items and comment below with your selfie, so you might stand a chance to win exciting discount vouchers, along with some mind blowing discount vouchers.